How long can a sublingual gland cyst be delayed

  Sublingual cysts are not usually malignant, but patients are advised to undergo surgery to remove them as soon as possible.  Most sublingual cysts are cysts caused by blockage of the sublingual gland ducts and retention of saliva. The fluid is a clear egg-white like liquid that is soft to the touch with a sense of fluctuation. This cyst is mostly located in the submucosa of the floor of the mouth side, the cyst wall is thin, soft and light blue in texture. Large sublingual cysts can cross the mandibular hyoid muscle into the base of the tongue or spread to the opposite side, and are usually found in children or adolescents. Although sublingual cysts do not change much in a short period of time, they can easily become infected when they rupture, resulting in a painful swelling. Therefore, patients with sublingual cysts should be treated promptly to avoid enlargement of the cyst, which may lead to other serious conditions.  Patients are advised to avoid delaying the detection of sublingual gland cysts and should seek early consultation at the ENT department to remove the sublingual gland.